Beyoncé and Jay-Z today surprised fans by sharing the first pictures of their baby, Blue Ivy Carter.

The proud parents posted a series of intimate portraits of their beloved daughter, who was born just over a month ago.

Instead of selling their first baby pictures to a glossy magazine for millions the music megastar couple decided to take control posting snaps of Blue to a tumblr blog.

Proud mother: Beyonce and Jay Z posted pictures of their daughter Blue Ivy to a blog they have created for her In one snap the 30-year-old singer is seen beaming into the camera while she cradles her daughter in her arms.

While the camera is out of focus on the former Destiny's Child singer, with clarity on baby Blue, Beyoncé's blue nails can be clearly seen, no doubt a tribute to her little bundle.

The proud parents set up a blog that shows the intimate family snaps along with a message.

It read: 'We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this beautiful time in our lives. The Carter Family.'

What an adorable bundle: In another shot the couple's daughter is seen looking into the camera

Resting peacefully: Another shows Blue holding her hand up to her ear as she sleeps in a polka dot blanket

There are several close ups of the adorable little girl, who not only has a healthy head of hair but also displays a rose-bud mouth and almond shaped brown eyes.

In one shot the Blue Ivy is seen staring past the camera, and in another the photographer has captured the tiny bundle sleeping.

The emotional and captivating shots are the first of their kind of Blue Ivy to be released to the public.

And it was only last week that Beyoncé made her first public appearance since the birth on January 7, showing off her incredible post-labour curves.

Proud papa: Jay-Z was seen tenderly cradling his daughter in another adorable snap

Your hand and mine: In another shot Beyoncé was seen holding her daughter's hand in three of her fingers which made the most touching snap

First family post: The music mega couple posted a message to the blog which read: 'We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this beautiful time in our lives. The Carter Family'

The singer stepped out twice in as many nights last week and it was almost unbelievable to think she gave birth a month earlier.

It wasn't just her figure she was showing off Beyoncé was also seen sporting a chunky piece of bling which she was given as a 'push present'.

Her rapper husband is believed to have bought the blue ring, in honour of their daughter's name, in a tradition that sees new fathers reward the mother after she gives birth to their child.

Ever the fashionista, the large jewel was coordinated with Beyoncé 's blue nail polish as she made her second public appearance since becoming a mother on January 7. Her first 'stepping out' was the previous evening last Monday night as she showcased her post-baby curves in a red Alice Temperley cocktail dress, which was undeniably striking.

It was a wise move as the 30-year-old looked picture perfect for the first night of Jay-Z's two-legged occupation of NYC's Carnegie Hall.

Two nights in a row: The singer stepped out in a red figure-hugging ensemble for the first time since Blue's birth last week and the following night she donned the sequined black number

And this triumph obviously emboldened the songbird, as last night she went a step further by climbing into a more overtly sexy number.

The gown, by bridal favourite Monique Lhuillier, was skintight and sprinkled with sequins that dotted across the sweetheart neckline and up across the nude netting atop Bey's cleavage.

She accessorised the look with Gucci shoes, a Chanel purse, Lorraine Schwartz jewellery and the bounciest of celebrity curls.

Bump on show: Beyoncé flaunted her baby bump at the screening of her Live at Roseland DVD in November

Big reveal: The singer announced that she was pregnant at the 2011 MTV VMA's in August